Turning the Page on HungerSubhead: Monmouth County libraries participating in food drive

The Monmouth County Library will once again a part of a countywide food drive throughout the month of April to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Last year the Monmouth County-wide food drive collected 20,488 pounds of food – more than 10 tons – which was part of the 8.5 million pounds the FoodBank distributed to approximately 260 emergency feeding programs within Monmouth and Ocean counties.

FoodBank programs reach more than 127,000 individuals in Monmouth and Ocean counties, including 51,000 children, 14,000 under the age of 5, according to agency statistics.

In 2012, 49 million Americans lived in food insecure households, according to federal statistics.

Donations of food items will be accepted at all 13 Monmouth County Library branches through April 30.

All patrons are eligible to complete an entry form for the eReader drawing. Participants may only submit one entry form per day for the drawing. Donations will be accepted during regular library hours. Food items can be dropped off at designated areas in each branch. Drawing rules and entry forms will be available at each branch.

“For the past eight years, the Monmouth County Library has been dedicated to assisting the local community food banks in their efforts to feed the hungry while celebrating National Library Week,” Acting Library Director Judi Tolchin said. “This year’s efforts will truly embrace the National Library Week theme – “Lives change @ your library®.”